“Speaking through tears”

Abstract This study investigates Canadian media representations of Amber Heard’s testimony during the defamation trial against Johnny Depp. We analyse the varied (and sometimes biased) discursive strategies the media used to represent Heard’s voice, with a particular focus on reported speech ( Caldas-Coulthard 1993 ) and naming strategies ( Clark 1992 ). Our analysis shows social gender ideologies are inserted through reported speech in the media. The naming strategies and images also point to a tendency to portray Heard as an emotional source, thus associating her emotional display with insincere acting ( Matoesian 2001 ). We argue that the media’s non-neutral portrayal of Heard’s testimony as well as its emotional nature impedes on her sincerity as a victim and credibility as a witness. We argue that our analysis illustrates a well-established tendency in the media to discredit women’s experiences of gender violence.